2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

One of the elements of the Grand Cherokee that has puzzled me (and some other staffers) is the navigation system – specifically, the fact that Chrysler offers two different systems depending on trim level. The range-topping Overland, for instance, gets a slightly-updated version of the system we’ve seen previously in a number of Mopar-built long-termers, including the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Challenger, and Ram 2500 HD. Our Limited, however, despite using the same hardware, comes with a nav sourced from Garmin.

Don’t get me wrong, the Garmin system isn’t bad by any means. In fact, it has several advantages over the Chrysler unit, including better scales and a higher resolution display. However, there’s no NAV button on the side (the map is accessed purely via a button on the touchscreen that only appears on the audio displays) and Jeep does not offer the hardware necessary to get real-time traffic – the Garmin operates via an FM receiver like the unit in our departed Outlander GT, while the Chrysler unit needs just a Sirius subscription.

We asked the foks at Jeep as to the reasons behind the navigation duopoly (instead of the usual monopoly), but were unable to get a concrete answer (it’s likely buried somewhere in a confidential product planning powerpoint). In case you’re curious, the nav availability breaks down as follows:

Garmin: Optional on Laredo X, standard on Limited and SRT8
Chrysler: Optional on Limited and SRT8, standard on Overland and Overland Summit.

Back to our particular Jeep — nobody’s done anything special with it in the past month, so it’s largely served as an able and comfortable commuter and utility vehicle. Gas prices have, thankfully, retreated a bit, so it’s become somewhat more affordable for that purpose. The 7 fill-ups for the past month added up to $491.39 and we’ve put an extra 2108 miles on the odometer, at an average price of 23 cents per mile. With hot summer days – and the associated trips to the beach — approaching, this will likely increase, since we won’t have use for the Jeep’s heated steering wheel but plenty of use for its air conditioning and cooled seats, especially since ours has a black interior. We’ll try to avoid scorched backs and keisters, if for no other reason than to avoid the cleanup job. On the plus side, there’s plenty of room in the back for coolers.

Seating

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee News and Reviews

"I can give you my verdict for the Jeep Grand Cherokee," video producer Duane Sempson offered when I told him what I was writing. "Its #@!*#! awesome!" Um, thanks, Duane. I'll see if I can use that.Thing is, in the 13 months we had the Jeep, a lot of those who got behind the thick steering wheel for any amount…

Thousands of road-trip miles have been logged in the Grand Cherokee since my last update and none of them with myself at the wheel. A trio of western U.S. trips in varying distances were undertaken by three different colleagues with three very different agendas, but all praised the vehicle.First up on the guest-drivers parade was photo editor Brian Vance who…

Since taking control of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in September, I've logged roughly 3746 miles behind the wheel. With a 260-mile weekly work commute those miles add up quickly. A quick glance at the fuel log shows I'm going an average of 355 miles between fill-ups and I've needed to refuel an average of every 6-8 days, allowing me to…

The Jeep Grand Cherokee and I recently encountered one of the more frightening aspects of Southern California driving -- getting trapped by walls of traffic while stopped behind a disabled car. Traffic slows. You assume it's the familiar stop and start pattern we all love (hate) and before you realize it, you are stopped behind a train of cars and…

Maserati has released video showing its new Grand Cherokee-based Kubang SUV in action, which was first shown to journalists at the 2011 Frankfurt show in advance of the live reveal. But is it the real thing? Or CGI?The Kubang luxury SUV has raised eyebrows because of its shared platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but mostly because the Italian SUV…